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Foundation Relations Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Point Loma Nazarene University

$90K - $110K/yr

PLNU is seeking a strategic and relationship-driven Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations to expand philanthropic partnerships that advance the university's mission and priorities. This role ...

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$57.5K

$66.7K

$86K

How much do foundation relations jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for foundation relations in the United States is $66,728.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $61,000.00 and $70,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Foundation Relations vs Grant Writer?

AspectFoundation RelationsGrant Writer
Primary FocusBuilding and maintaining relationships with foundationsWriting and preparing grant proposals
Work EnvironmentStrategic, relationship-drivenDetail-oriented, writing-focused
Required SkillsRelationship management, communication, knowledge of funding landscapeWriting, research, compliance with grant guidelines
Common UsageIn development/fundraising teams for strategic partnership buildingIn grant departments for proposal development

Foundation Relations professionals focus on cultivating long-term partnerships with funders, while Grant Writers concentrate on crafting compelling proposals to secure funding. Both roles are essential in the fundraising process but serve different functions within the organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Foundation Relations, and why are they important?

To thrive in Foundation Relations, you typically need a background in nonprofit management, fundraising, or communications, often with a bachelor's degree or higher. Familiarity with donor management systems (like Salesforce or Raiser’s Edge), grant writing, and reporting tools is highly valuable. Excellent relationship-building, persuasive communication, and strategic thinking skills help professionals stand out in this field. These abilities are crucial for securing funding, maintaining strong partnerships, and advancing organizational missions.

What are some typical challenges faced when managing relationships with multiple foundations, and how can they be addressed in a Foundation Relations role?

Professionals in Foundation Relations often juggle relationships with numerous foundations, each with their own unique priorities, reporting requirements, and timelines. A common challenge is balancing these varying expectations while ensuring clear, consistent communication and timely submission of proposals and reports. To address this, strong organizational skills, proactive planning, and the use of a comprehensive CRM system are essential. Developing personalized engagement strategies for each foundation and fostering open, ongoing communication with program officers can also help build trust and long-term partnerships.

What are Foundation Relations professionals and what do they do?

Foundation Relations professionals are specialists who manage and cultivate relationships between nonprofit organizations and charitable foundations. They research potential foundation funders, write grant proposals, and ensure compliance with grant requirements. These professionals also steward existing foundation partners by providing updates on funded projects and reporting on outcomes. Their work is crucial in securing funding for nonprofit programs and initiatives.
More about Foundation Relations jobs
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Foundation Relations jobs near you
Foundation Relations Officer

Foundation Relations Officer

Auburn University

Auburn University, AL • On-site

$61K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 6 days ago

Auburn University rating

6.2

Company rating: 6.2 out of 10

Based on 44 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

477th of 546 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Overview
Auburn Advancement is seeking a Foundation Relations Officer to help connect faculty and university initiatives with foundation funding opportunities! If you enjoy building partnerships, coordinating proposals, researching funding prospects, and supporting meaningful projects from concept to funding, this could be an outstanding next step in your career.
What You'll Do:
  • Connect Faculty and Funding Opportunities
    Partner with faculty, researchers, and university leadership to identify foundation funding opportunities that align with Auburn's strategic priorities, research initiatives, and academic programs.
  • Lead Foundation Proposal Development
    Coordinate the development of competitive funding proposals by working closely with faculty, administrators, and external foundation partners. Guide projects from opportunity identification through submission and stewardship.
  • Manage Foundation Partnerships and Reporting
    Serve as a key liaison between Auburn and foundation partners, ensuring timely communication, proposal submissions, grant reporting, and stewardship activities that strengthen long-term relationships.
  • Conduct Strategic Research and Prospect Identification
    Research foundation prospects, analyze giving priorities, and identify opportunities that support Auburn's research, academic, and institutional goals.
  • Collaborate Across Campus
    Work closely with faculty, sponsored programs, research administration, and advancement colleagues to coordinate funding strategies and maximize philanthropic support for university priorities.

Why You'll Love It Here:
  • Meaningful Impact: Your work will directly support Auburn University's mission and help create opportunities that positively impact students, faculty, research, and programs across campus.
  • Collaborative Culture: Join a team that values partnership, innovation, and shared success while working alongside passionate professionals dedicated to advancing Auburn.
  • Purpose-Driven Work: Experience a role where relationship-building and strategic thinking come together to create meaningful philanthropic impact.
  • Culture by Design: Thrive in an environment that champions professional growth, accountability, collaboration, and respect.

Now is the perfect time to join Auburn Advancement, a dynamic team encompassing Operations and Strategy, Culture and Talent, Engagement, Philanthropy, and Communications. Under the visionary leadership of Senior Vice President Rob Wellbaum, Auburn Advancement continues to build momentum and shape the future of philanthropy at Auburn University.
The nature of this role is highly relationship-focused and externally engaged, requiring meetings on and off campus during regular and non-traditional business hours. This position is expected to operate with a high level of professionalism, initiative, and autonomy.
Responsibilities
  • Identifies potential prospects for cultivations through research, initial contact ratings, peer reviews and other relevant resources.
  • Solicits gifts and/or club memberships through person-to-person visits, group presentations, and/or phone contacts.
  • Provides stewardship to include acknowledging and showing gratitude for donating/joining clubs either by letter, phone call, and/or participating in/attending events and function for donors.
  • Updates and informs supervisors and other staff of goal status, new plans and project proposals, and ensures that a cooperative team effort is made to meet goals and objectives.
  • Prepares budget with input provided by Director, reviews and approves financial records, vouchers and acquisitions.
  • Develops reports, records, and programs and analyzes information necessary to plan and complete projects and assignments.
  • May develop campaigns and/or presentation proposals related to funding priorities in order to keep top prospects informed, interested, involved and to meet development goals and objectives.
  • The nature of this role is highly externally focused, requiring frequent travel and meetings on and off campus during regular and non-traditional business hours, and is therefore expected to operate with high-levels of autonomy.
  • May produce or assists in producing marketing materials to support development efforts.

Qualifications
Level I
  • Bachelor's degree plus 2 years of experience in fundraising, marketing, sales, and/or public relations

Level II
  • Bachelor's degree plus 4 years of experience in fundraising, marketing, sales, and/or public relations

Licenses & Certifications:
  • Driver License

Contract Type
Continuing
Why Work at Auburn?
  • Life-Changing Impact: Our work changes lives through research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our students, our communities, and the world.
  • Culture of Excellence:We are committed to leveraging our strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a top employer in higher education.
  • We're Here for You:Auburn offers generous benefits, educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/life balance.
  • Sweet Home Alabama:The Auburn/Opelika area offers southern charm, vibrant downtown scenes, top-ranked schools, and easy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Gulf of Mexico beaches.
  • A Place for Everyone: Auburn is committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged.
  • Ready to lead and shape the future of higher education? Apply today! War Eagle!

Equal Opportunity Compliance Statement
It is our policy to provide equal employment and education opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable law. Please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance's website to learn more.
Posted Date
6/4/2026

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